Redwoods trail ride Litchfield (24 Aug)

[cr125nz]

whos going to this ride seems to be a good ride by the looks of it a few ppl i no said its ok wonder if its up to the trailblazer standards. any feed back of those who have gone to these past events would be great
www.silver-bullet.co.nz

[camchain]

I did this one last year and liked it. Take a camera. A real neat aspect of the ride are tunnels through through the hillsides (lights on if you have them lads, but you can navigate through without). 30 odd metres long? I think there were about 3 tunnels on last years course. They were put in for easier access when the place was logged (after WW2). BTW ride requires carrying a fire extinguisher.

The main loop was very long, about 50kms, so keep a close eye on your fuel. Unfortunately a few gravel roads between sections, some gravel bits are a bit on the long side but offer chance for a rest. Ground is pumice/ash mainly, good draining and good traction. Some clay bits and some loamy bits. Terrain is quite mixed with some good altitude variations. At one point you're right up high on a plateau with views into the distance in every direction. Location is a little on the bleak side but still a pretty grand scene with all the shapes of the land revealed, and neat place to be on a bike.

'A' options have some steep bits (some guys bulldogging their bikes on one downhill) but main loop is easy climbs up and down, but challenging enough to be fun if you're on the gas.
Forest is mainly younger trees but also quite a bit of clearfell on this ride so need to watch out for lumps of sticks that hide stumps. Pine cones, branches etc make for technically challenging riding that keeps you on your toes. I had a fairly substantial over the bars cartwheel there. Lost front into monster rut (hip deep job. Rain really chews out pumice). I reckon it was the same rut described in this review here. Some pics here also (1st one on list):

http://www.nztrails.com/ReviewedRidesList.aspx

Interested to hear how how you go.

[4stroke]

yeah could be keen on this aye, sounds good.

[xen]

Yeah sounds good, think I'll be up for this one

[secondfield]

Its a bummer the site nztrails.com hasn't been updated for a while, its an awsome resource...

[eurodick]

Redwoods are quality rides take ya mates but be there early and take warm clothes can turn nasty!!! hahahhaha and good tyres are handy too!!!

[Pierce]

good tyres are handy too!!!

That rules me out haha

[Crisis management]

I'm going, usual warning, I'm the one being molested by a 200EXC....

Camchain, thanks for the link & write up, it's good to have some appreciation of what I'm getting into.

I'll let you know how it goes....

[cr125nz]

from the write up it looks and sounds ok but no doubt wont no till i get there and hope to have no dramas with the bike
will have to follow a bike with a light threw the tunnels lol

[Firefight]

well worth it, dam good ride, something for everyone,
will need fire extingusher.... don,t forget dam good clean after ride, that pumice gets into everything and wears shit out .. some great picture oppurtunties (sp?)

one of the less known rides, not sure why, bloody good value




F/F

[cr125nz]

hey tanks for the input and thanks for reminding me in regards to the fire extingusher fireflight cheers yeah should be a good ride picd look great of the ride